Man charged with trafficking meth

Staff report

Published: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 4:03 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 4:03 p.m.

SILVER SPRINGS SHORES - Sheriff’s deputies and local drug agents confiscated 166 grams of methamphetamine from a vehicle early Wednesday and charged a man with trafficking and manufacturing meth, tampering with evidence and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Deputies spotted a silver Jeep with no tag light on Baseline Road and stopped it as it turned onto Banyan Pass. After talking with the driver and occupants, a deputy received permission to search the vehicle.

On the back floorboard was a clear baggie that contained multiple items commonly used to make meth and a clear bottle containing a clear substance.

The deputies contacted the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Taskforce. The liquid inside the bottle was tested by drug agents and weighed 166 grams of meth.

Paul Jerimiah Zukowski, 33, who was sitting in the back of the Jeep, was detained.

After Zukowski was placed in the back of a deputy’s vehicle, he began stomping on a white powdery substance that later tested positive for meth.

Zukowski was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.

The driver and other occupant in the vehicle were not charged, officials said.

<p>SILVER SPRINGS SHORES - Sheriff's deputies and local drug agents confiscated 166 grams of methamphetamine from a vehicle early Wednesday and charged a man with trafficking and manufacturing meth, tampering with evidence and possession of drug paraphernalia.</p><p>Deputies spotted a silver Jeep with no tag light on Baseline Road and stopped it as it turned onto Banyan Pass. After talking with the driver and occupants, a deputy received permission to search the vehicle.</p><p>On the back floorboard was a clear baggie that contained multiple items commonly used to make meth and a clear bottle containing a clear substance.</p><p>The deputies contacted the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Taskforce. The liquid inside the bottle was tested by drug agents and weighed 166 grams of meth.</p><p>Paul Jerimiah Zukowski, 33, who was sitting in the back of the Jeep, was detained.</p><p>After Zukowski was placed in the back of a deputy's vehicle, he began stomping on a white powdery substance that later tested positive for meth.</p><p>Zukowski was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.</p><p>The driver and other occupant in the vehicle were not charged, officials said.</p>